Four sticks | Moroccan convicts

In summer of 1943 Moroccans came to Zeeland again. They were captured soldiers who had to labour as convicts for the Germans. They took part in building the Atlantik-Wall, the large German defence line along the coast. 

The residents of Zeeland had never experienced such men, wrapped in long dark coats, with queer head-gear and wearing sandals. The Moroccans were accommodated in small camps in Middelburg, Borssele, Domburg, Aagtekerke and Koudekerke (near Flushing).

Every day these prisoners passed Flushing on their way to work and back. They went along the Nieuwedijk past the provisions-shop of widow Tuynman. By then her son “Hans”, who was about 8 years old, sometimes offered the men something to eat. To thank him they gave him, more than once, a beautiful shaped (wooden) stick. 

These four sticks belonged to Hans Tuynman from Middelburg; he kept them ever since as a memento until his death.